INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: ELECTRICAL TESTING FOR UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) requires wire harness testing on all aircraft. MK Test Systems provide testing solutions which fulfil these requirements across a wide range of defense applications.
MODERN ATS FOR FORCE 25 AND BEYOND
For over 35 years, defense weapon systems have relied on automatic test systems (ATS) to diagnose and isolate platform failures. Two kinds of systems diagnose electrical issues for all levels of weapon and cabin systems:
- At-platform automatic test systems (APATS)
- Off-platform automatic test systems (OPATS)
Air and ground weapon systems are not fail proof; they require regular maintenance and testing to ensure their readiness. As the DoD transforms to Force 2025 and beyond, innovation of modernized automatic test systems must keep pace so the military can (with confidence) shoot, move, and communicate on demand.
DEFENSE TEST SOLUTIONS FROM BUILD TO MAINTENANCE
MK Test is the industry front runner for high-tech testing in all stages of the aircraft from build to maintenance. With systems ranging from the RTS (Real Time Scanner) used while building the wire harness on the form board, to Automeg testers at each stage of the aircraft build, to Loop and Bond testing (ExLRT / BLRT) for verification against EMI attacks, to slip ring testing.
OTHER DEFENCE APPLICATIONS
Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI)
Modern warfare is not just bullets and bombs, with the growing EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) weapons being built to cause interference with the avionics and weapon systems installed on modern aircraft, the MK Test ExLRT (Loop Resistance Tester) has become a required tool.
By verifying the connection loops on the aircraft designed to block EMI attacks attached correctly, this reduces the chances of an EMI attack be effective against modern aircraft and rendering it ineffective in combat situations.
Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eV/eVTOL)
The DoD is incorporating eV/eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) systems in the air and on the ground. This requires a specialized EV tester which MK Test currently is producing and has sold in both the USA and abroad.
The MK Test Automeg EV tester was designed with electric vehicle manufacturers to provide testing of each critical circuit on the electric vehicle, from the wiring harness to function testing of all critical components, to the ground loops and battery. This system is being incorporated into the eVTOL aircraft manufacturing in both commercial and military markets.
Slip ring testing
Slip ring testers are the most overlooked tester in the market, yet a critical requirement for the DoD. Our next-gen slip ring testers have applications such as Bradley Fighting Vehicles and satellite manufacturing.
MK has sold multiple slipring testers into these markets with successful feedback.
Industry: Defense contracting for manufacture of wire harnesses, sub-assemblies, and FAL for vehicles, weapons systems, satellite and surveillance equipment
Requirement: Meets all required specifications; ease of use; data integrity; registered DoD supplier
Solutions: ExLRT, Automeg, Slip Ring Tester
Benefits: Accuracy; speed and ease of testing
MK Test Systems are authorized to supply the US Department of Defense
CAGE code: 8EGR1
UEI: DMSXKFUC8ZK1
More information
This Industry Spotlight document is available as a PDF download. It's currently only available in US English format, so please click the button on the right to start your download.
To learn more about the products mentioned in this article, please visit the product overview page.
For more information about our work in the defense sector, visit our industry page.
